Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1997
Publication Title
Nutrition in Clinical Practice
First Page
211
Last Page
215
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/088453369701200503
Abstract
Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature of <35°C and results in a decrease in measured resting energy expenditure. A 51-year-old mentally disabled patient experienced chronic hypothermia from neurologic sequelae. Because of her continued weight gain and increased body fat in the presence of presumed hypocaloric nutrition, indirect calorimetry measurements were performed twice in a 3-month period. The resting energy expenditure measurements prompted a reduction of her daily caloric intake to prevent further overfeeding. Hypothermia reduces oxygen consumption and, as a consequence, decreases resting energy expenditure. In patients for whom chronic hypothermia is a problem, nutritional intake must be adjusted to prevent overfeeding, excessive weight gain, and the long-term complications of an excess of total calories.
Rights
This is a post-print version of this article. The version of record is available at SAGE Journals.
Recommended Citation
Gervasio, Jane M.; Dickerson, Roland N.; Brown, Rex O.; and Matthews, J. Barret, "Chronic hypothermia and energy expenditure in a neurodevelopmentally disabled patient: a case study" (1997). Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS. 15.
https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/cophs_papers/15